STARS Nashville

We are incredibly grateful to the Cigna Group Foundation for their generous support of STARS and the young people we serve.

This investment helps us continue our mission of providing hope, health, and connection to young people across our community, and we are proud to partner with the in their commitment to improving access to youth mental health resources. Every day, we see students grow in confidence, build meaningful relationships, and feel less alone in what they are facing. Moments like these are what this work is all about.

A special thank you to STARS Board Member Mario Vangeli for his leadership and dedication in helping make this partnership possible.

We are deeply grateful for your belief in this mission and the future of young people across our community.

We're excited to see our Co-CEO, Sandy Schmahl, featured in Nashville Business Journal's People on the Move!

Sandy's journey from STARS intern to Co-CEO spans 25 years of dedication to young people, our community, and the mission of STARS. We couldn't be prouder of this well-deserved recognition.

Read more about Sandy's story below.

https://starsnashville.short.gy/nbj-sandy

Sandy Schmahl, Promoted to Co-CEO at STARS Nashville - Nashville Business Journal Connect with professionals in the Nashville business community. Nashville People on the Move.

We are so proud of our board member extraordinaire, Tracey Henry, for being selected as an Academy for Women of Achievement Honoree!

✨ Announcing the 34th Class of YWCA’s Academy for Women of Achievement ✨

YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is proud to honor seven extraordinary women and one outstanding organization whose leadership, service, and vision continue to shape our community for the better.

Congratulations to the 2026 Academy for Women of Achievement Honorees:
⭐ Cathy Bender
⭐ Beth DeBauche
⭐ Cherae Farmer-Dixon
⭐ Tracey Henry
⭐ Edie Carell Johnson
⭐ Dee Patel
⭐ Tara Scarlett
⭐ Dollar General Corporation – 2026 Corporate Honoree

Presented by Amazon.com, the Academy for Women of Achievement celebrates leaders who are breaking barriers, opening doors, and creating opportunities for others across Nashville and beyond.

Join us on Wednesday, October 21 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel as we celebrate these incredible honorees and their lasting impact on our community. Visit our website https://www.ywcanashville.com/awa2026

Nashville

Last night, STARS was honored to be recognized as a Middle Tennessee Top Workplace for the 14th consecutive year!

This award is a reflection of the people and culture that makes STARS so special. For 14 years running, our leaders and staff have fostered an environment built on trust, support, and a shared commitment to one another.

We're grateful for every team member who helps make STARS a place where people feel valued, empowered, and inspired to make a difference. 💙

A huge thank you to the first partners supporting STARS Rising on September 29th!

We’re grateful Regions Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Enterprise Solutions, Banc Card of America, Spire, Stantec, King Risk Partners, and American Constructors TN for helping make this evening possible as we come together to celebrate hope, health, and connection for young people across our community.

We are also delighted to announce that Claritev is the presenting sponsor of STARS Rising!

The support behind STARS Rising helps us continue creating meaningful impact for Middle Tennessee youth. Interested in becoming a STARS Rising sponsor? Learn more at starsnashville.org/stars-rising

On September 29th, our largest fundraiser of the year returns to OZ Arts Center as STARS Rising presented by Claritev! This is a night to celebrate hope, health, connection, and the impact we can make together for young people across our community. We can't wait to see you there!

Learn more: starsnashville.org/stars-rising

A 5th grade student recently walked into one of our counselors’ offices carrying anxiety, overwhelming emotions, and a lot on her mind.

Over time, that same student began building resilience, learning healthy coping skills, and taking better self-care.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, stories like this remind us how important it is for young people to have someone in their corner. At STARS, we’re proud to create spaces where students feel supported, seen, and connected.

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.

“To my STARS therapist: Thank you. I wouldn’t be here without you.”

This is why we do what we do.

Every day, STARS works to create safe, supportive spaces to provide young people with hope, health, and connection.

We are honored and so grateful to be selected as a 2026 Helper Grant recipient by the Nashville Predators Foundation!

Thank you for investing in the work we do and helping us continue supporting young people across our community. We’re grateful to celebrate alongside so many organizations making an impact in Middle Tennessee!